When should you prefer GC tuning basics and when should you avoid it?

Garbage Collection (GC) tuning is an essential aspect of Java application performance optimization. However, knowing when to tune the GC settings can significantly impact the application's performance and maintainability.

When to Prefer GC Tuning Basics

• High Memory Footprint: If your application consumes a large amount of memory and you notice frequent Full GC events, tuning the GC can improve performance.
• Latency-Critical Applications: Applications that require low latency (e.g., real-time systems) may benefit from specialized GC settings that optimize pause times.
• Longer Running Applications: For applications that run for extended periods, proper GC tuning can prevent excessive memory usage and eventual crashes.
• Identified Bottlenecks: If diagnostic tools indicate that GC is a bottleneck in application performance, tuning may resolve these issues.

When to Avoid GC Tuning

• New or Inactive Applications: For brand new applications or those still undergoing development, it is better to focus on functionality before tuning GC.
• Default Settings are Sufficient: If your application is running efficiently with default GC settings, additional tuning may add unnecessary complexity.
• Lack of Profiling Data: Attempting to tune GC without proper profiling data can lead to misguided adjustments and degraded performance.
• Frequent Library Changes: In scenarios where libraries and dependencies change often, sticking to default settings can minimize risk and instability.